For the fifth time in six years, I’ve decided to post the list of my 50 favorite Christmas(/Advent) songs, first assembled in 2012. The list returned for 2013, 2014 and (after a cross-state moving hiatus) in 2016. Once again, as in the last couple editions, I have linked every entry to a free online version that best captures the respective song’s quality (or just was available and sounded interesting). Most of the links are the same as before. Nonetheless, a few had to be replaced after coming off YouTube, or I just found a better or more interesting version.
While three songs disappeared off the list for the first time ever (marked in Bold Italics in the list below the Top 50), this year two oldies made inaugural appearances on the Top 50 list: The First Noel and Once in Royal David’s City. Most of the rest have an explanation in the original 2012 post (there you will also satisfy any curiosity about the reason for this exercise). Among those that lack an explanation is the fastest ascending song: Who Would Have Dreamed? — a song that didn’t even exist when I first started the list. But I don’t see why it won’t keep climbing in 2018.
As far as longevity and predictability goes, seven of this year’s Top 10 mark their fifth consecutive showing with that distinction (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 and 8). The number one slot remains unchanged and undisputed, and I’ll continue to take the French language version every day. In all, 40 of the 50 have appeared on each edition of the list. Of those 40, none has tumbled the furthest in five years more than 39 (originally #25), while none has made a bigger upswing than 26 (originally #49).
Pick one song a handful or listen to the entire list of Christmas Countdown selections on the official YouTube playlist? Whatever you do, I hope you find some inspiration and enjoyment in the 2017 version of my 50 favorite Christmas songs:
1. O Holy Night / Cantique de Noel (1)
2. Hark the Herald Angels Sing (2)
3. Gesu Bambino (5)
4. O Little Town of Bethlehem (3)
5. Silent Night, Holy Night / Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht (6)
6. In the Bleak Midwinter (7)
7. Hallelujah Chorus, from Messiah (4)
8. Coventry Carol (9)
9. Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming (8)
10. O Come, O Come Emmanuel (12)
11. Thou Who Wast Rich Beyond All Splendor (17)
12. Glory to God, from Messiah (13)
13. Carol of the Bells (10)
14. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (11)
15. O Come, All Ye Faithful / Adeste Fideles (15)
16. Joy Has Dawned Upon the World (16)
17. Mary’s Little Boy Child (14)
18. I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day (20)
19. Sleigh Ride (19)
20. Wexford Carol (23)
21. And the Glory of the Lord, from Messiah (18)
22. Sweet Little Jesus Boy (24)
23. Still, Still, Still (22)
24. I Wonder as I Wander (21)
25. O Magnum Mysterium (Lauridsen) (25)
26. The Sussex Carol (On Christmas Night) (28)
27. Who Would Have Dreamed? (44)
28. Good Christian Men, Rejoice (26)
29. Hear the Lamb a Cryin’ (34)
30. Do You Hear What I Hear? (27)
31. Joy to the World (29)
32. Mary Had a Baby (32)
33. Away in a Manger (Kirkpatrick) (35)
34. O Thou That Tellest Good Tidings to Zion, from Messiah (33)
35. Celtic Advent Carol (35)
36. Christmas Time is Here, from A Charlie Brown Christmas (31)
37. Breath of Heaven (Mary’s Song) (41)
38. White Christmas (36)
39. The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire) (37)
40. What Sweeter Music (40)
41. Angels We Have Heard on High (38)
42. For Unto Us a Child is Born, from Messiah (43)
43. Linus and Lucy, from A Charlie Brown Christmas (39)
44. I’ll Be Home for Christmas (42)
45. Sweetest Music, Softly Stealing (49)
46. The First Noel (NR)
47. On This Still and Silent Night (48)
48. Un Flambeau, Jeanette Isabella (NR)
49. Ding, Dong, Merrily on High (47)
50. Once in Royal David’s City (NR)
Off the List from Last Year: The Birthday of a King (45); Of the Father’s Love Begotten (46); God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen
Other Honorable Mentions: Angels, From the Realms of Glory; Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus; Go Tell It on the Mountain; Home for the Holidays; How Great Our Joy; It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas; Love Came Down at Christmas; Prepare Him Room; What Child is This?.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2018!
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